Alogliptin

Identification

Name

Alogliptin

Accession Number

DB06203

Type

Small Molecule

Groups

Approved

Description

Alogliptin is a selective, orally-bioavailable inhibitor of enzymatic activity of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4). Chemically, alogliptin is prepared as a benzoate salt and exists predominantly as the R-enantiomer (>99%). It undergoes little or no chiral conversion in vivo to the (S)-enantiomer. FDA approved January 25, 2013.

Pharmacology

Peak inhibition of DPP-4 occurs within 2-3 hours after a single-dose administration to healthy subjects. The peak inhibition of DPP-4 exceeded 93% across doses of 12.5 mg to 800 mg. Inhibition of DPP-4 remained above 80% at 24 hours for doses greater than or equal to 25 mg. Alogliptin also demonstrated decreases in postprandial glucagon while increasing postprandial active GLP-1 levels compared to placebo over an 8-hour period following a standardized meal. Alogliptin does not affect the QTc interval.

The pharmacokinetics of NESINA was also shown to be similar in healthy subjects and in patients with type 2 diabetes. When single, oral doses up to 800 mg in healthy subjects and type 2 diabetes patients are given, the peak plasma alogliptin concentration (median Tmax) occurred 1 to 2 hours after dosing. Accumulation of aloglipin is minimal. The absolute bioavailability of NESINA is approximately 100%. Food does not affect the absorption of alogliptin.

Volume of distribution

Following a single, 12.5 mg intravenous infusion of alogliptin to healthy subjects, the volume of distribution during the terminal phase was 417 L, indicating that the drug is well distributed into tissues.

Protein binding

Alogliptin is 20% bound to plasma proteins.

Metabolism

Alogliptin does not undergo extensive metabolism. Two minor metabolites that were detected are N-demethylated alogliptin (<1% of parent compound) and N-acetylated alogliptin (<6% of parent compound). The N-demethylated metabolite is active and an inhibitor of DPP-4. The N-acetylated metabolite is inactive. Cytochrome enzymes that are involved with the metabolism of alogliptin are CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 but the extent to which this occurs is minimal. Approximately 10-20% of the dose is hepatically metabolized by cytochrome enzymes.

Route of elimination

Renal excretion (76%) and feces (13%). 60% to 71% of the dose is excreted as unchanged drug in the urine.

Common adverse reactions (reported in ≥4% of patients treated with alogliptin 25 mg and more frequently than in patients who received placebo) are: nasopharyngitis, headache, and upper respiratory tract infection.